Article supporting apparatus



26, 1965 w. E. SOEHRMAN ETAL 3,167,233

ARTICLE SUPPORTING APPARATUS Filed April 27, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.|

INVENTORS:

WALTER E. SOEHRMAN CHARLES T. MASTERSON Jan. 26, 1965 w. E. SOEHRMANETAL 3,157,283

ARTICLE SUPPORTING APPARATUS Filed April 27, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2INCLINED PLANE INVENTORSI WALTER E. SOEHRMAN CHARLES T. MASTERSON ATT'YS w. E. SOEHRMAN ETAL 3,167,283

ARTICLE SUPPORTING APPARATUS Jan. 26, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April27, 1962 INVENTORS. WA LTE R E. SOEH R MAN CHARLES T. MASTERSON ATT'YSJan. 26, 1965 w. E. SOEHRMAN ETAL 3,167,283

ARTICLE SUPPORTING APPARATUS Filed April 27, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4FIG.||

INVENTORS. WALTER E. SOEHRMAN CHARLES T. MASTERSON av We ATT'YS UnitedStates Patent 0 3,167,283 ARTRCLE SUPPORTENG APPARATUS Walter E.Soehrman and Charles T. Masterson, Lombard, IllL, assignors to AmericanConcepts of Progress, lino, Hinsdale, EL, a corporation of IllinoisFiled Apr. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 1%,707 7 (Ilaims. (Cl. 248-l) Thisinvention, in general, relates to apparatus supporting an article orperson by a novel combination of a support arm or series of arms havingswivel connections on a base in which said arm (or arms) is mounted andon a platform, vessel, container, seat or the like supported on saidbase by said support arm(s). More particularly, the combination utilizesswivel connections between said support arm(s) and said base andplatform, etc., wherein the pivot axes of said arm(s) are arranged in amanner so that the point of intersection of straightline extensions fromthese axes is substantially at, or preferably above and in substantialvertical alignment with, the center of gravity of the mass of thesupporting system and supported mass. Under these relationships of base,swivel arm(s) and supported mass, the latter, due to the influence ofgravity, will maintain a substantially level position when the base istilted from the horizontal or is placed in a position other thanhorizontal. The invention also has other advantageous applications inrelation to other forces acting on the supported mass such ascentrifugal force, acceleration, deceleration and the like, as will bedescribed hereafter.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a swivel support systemfor a mass wherein said mass remains in substantially self-adjustingrelationship with the resultant forces of gravity, acceleration,deceleration and/or rotation, i.e., centrifugal force.

A further object is to provide devices applying unique geometricprinciples in the supporting system for a mass.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus forsupporting a mass by a pivotable arm or arms with swivel connections onthe arm(s), the pivot axes of said swivel connections being arranged sothat straight line extensions of said axes intersect at a pointsubstantially at, or substantially on a vertical line extending above,the center of gravity of said mass.

ther objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description of the invention and specific embodiment thereof.

Briefly, this invention relates to a device that will support a vessel,container, platform, seat, or other supporting element or device,holding, carrying, or containing various materials and/or objects. Thesupport is of such a nature that the vessel, or other supported or helddevice, tends to move about the virtual point of support, above thecenter of gravity of the supported system, which virtual point ofsupport is at or near the intersection of the axes, as projected, of thebearing or pivot axes of the support arm or support arms, e.g., suchbearings or pivot axes which are a part of the supported system or apart of the base or bottom element or fixed support socket.

This support is of such a nature that the supported elements of thedevice tend to remain in an essentially level, or horizontal positionwhen the base, or fixed support socket, or bottom element, is innon-uniform motion; or when the device is at rest with the base, orsupport socket, etc., in a non-horizontal position. Furthermore, thesupported element of this device, in the several forms as describedbelow, tend to move freely about the virtual point of support, and suchmotion allows the supported parts to move freely with respect tocentrifugal, acceleration, and/or gravity forces, about this virtualpoint of support, without regard to the relative position of the base,bottom, or support socket. The virtual point of support referred toherein is used as being synonymous with the point of intersection ofstraight line extensions referred to at line 10 and following in column1 and is so referred to in order to contrast the virtual point from anactual support point, insofar as the supported mass in the presentinvention is not in reality supported from this point, but acts in useas though it were supported therefrom.

The point of convergence, or of intersection, of the axes of the supportarm bearing is approximately or nearly a static point in relation to anyposition the supported elements may assume with respect to the base,etc., as above. This is true regardless of the various positions theswiveled support arms may assume, within the normal limits of movementand of motion of this device, and is further more evident from a studyof the accompanying drawings, and the further description.

This unique method of support, wherein the supported elements and/ormasses are free to move about their combined or common center ofgravity, regardless of the position of the base, or bottom element,etc., of the device lends itself to a wide latitude of practical uses.

The convergence of the bearing, or pivot axes, of this device, in allthe variety of forms this device may assume, at or near a virtual pointof intersection, and above the normal center of gravity of the supportedelement and/ or masses of the device, gives a compound angularorientation of axes to each other, so that in all instances the forces,motions, and positions of the base, etc., are transmitted to thesupported elements and/0r masses, through a compound spatial and angularsystem wherein motion is possible only along the several axes of thesebearings or pivots. These motions combine to give the supported elementsand/or mass movement only about the virtual point of support. Suchmovement of supported mass, etc., about its center of gravity, from thevirtual point of support, is in actual effect the total of the componentand compound angular forces; operating through the suspension systemfrom forces applied to the base or the like and to normal mass dominanceof the supported system over the supporting and moving members, notincluding the base. Also because of free acting bearings, the supportedelements tend to have comparatively free movement about the virtualpoint of support, and the free motion of the supported mass is inhibitedvery little by the mass, inertia, or friction of the supporting system.

This device, in all its variations, as listed and described above, canhave a high ratio of supported mass to the mass of all moving supportmembers.The inertia of the support system can be low compared to thesupported mass, which allows the action of the whole system to bedominated by the supported mass. This in turn allows the mass itsmaximum freedom of motion about its virtual point of support.

The unique uses of these devices are many and various. In the variety offorms a device of the invention may assume, it may support a cup orother vessel, holding liquids or fluids, and can maintain a level,liquid surface when the device is placed on a rocking surface, a surfacehaving alternating accelerating and decelerating linear motion, or on anirregular non-horizontal static surface. It can support, for example, acup or other vessel holding liquid or fluid and maintain a relativelylevel liquid surface, with respect to the top of the container (or theparts of a container normally considered to be level) when the device isin uniform motion, or support a platform, for example, holding a shipscompass-and even a compass and a crew man observing it-in a level andcomparatively quiet position while in motion, or is attached to or isresting on an anchored boat moving from compound wind and water forces.

I the base or bottom is attached to, or is resting'on a boatFunthermore, this device can support a vessel, or a fluid contain'er,used in transport and can, by means of its unique self leveling action,keep the fluid or liquid quiet and level'with respect to they container,within the as the center of mass or gravity of both the fluid, etc., a e

and the vessel can be, in some instances, at (the same point, and in allnormal instances fairly near together, bothalways being below thevirtual point of support. Furthermore, when both container and containedhave a coxnmon, or near common, center of mass or gravity, they tend tomoveor to oscillate about the virtual point of support with the sameperiod or cycle, etc. of movement and hence remain quiet and static withrelation to each other, regardless of forces that are applied to the hm.a

The self-leveling feature of this device is still very pronounced whenthe two centers of mass, as described above, are not incident or are notof equal distance from the virtual point of support, provided that theyare not too far apart in relation to the ratios of distances'from thevirtual point of support; also this is true without regard v to thenature of the supported element, or elements, and provided thatthe'configuration of the supporting system i is in reasonable orpractical scales, etc., to the above, and in harmony with the intent ofthis device. 7

Because of the simple principle of virtually supporting mary objectivesthereof, further objects and advantages of the invention and otheradaptations thereof will ,be

apparent from the following further descriptionv and claims togetherwith the accompanying drawings, which, by way of illustration showpreferred embodiments of the invention and the principles thereof'iswhatwe now .con-

FIGS.- and 11 are illustrations, in side and rear elevations,respectively, depicting adaptation of the support systems of theinvention'inthe form of safety seats for vehicles.' 7 Referring first toFIGS. l-S, this embodiment comprises a base 1 having a recess 2 in itsupper side. The

7 base l has at one sidethereof an upwardly and inwardly sloping bearing3.in which is pivotally supported the end 4 of an arrn'5. The arm' 5 hasa bend 7 at which starts the mid-portion 6 of the arm. The mid-portion 6extends from the pivot axis, provided-by the pivotal mounting of end 4in bearing 3, across, but .above, the base 1 in a manner similar toachord of a circle as the apparatus is seen in top plan view. The arm 5has another bend 8 roviding an end 9 of arm 5 which extends upwardly andradially inwardly. The end 9 is pivotally mounted in a'bearing 10 ofaplatform support 11. The bearing 1% is in the outer edge of theplatform 11 and :extends' upwardly and radially inwardly.

unique arrangement of the swivel support of the platform 11 provided bythe arm 5 andbearings 3and 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the glass or vessel 17 is symmetrical andhas a center of gravity within'the glass or vessel lying on, the line C,regai'dlessof the depth of ,liquid, if-any, therein. Ifthe mass of thearm 5 and platform 11 isverylsinallin comparison to the mass of thevesselj17 and the fluid therein, the latter mass may so dominate themassof the supported system (vessel, liquid, platform and arm) that theformer mass will not materially change'the position of the center ofgravity of the supported system from that which is the center of gravityof the supported system to that which isthe center of gravityjo-f thevessel'and liquid-only. Where, however, 7

the platform and/ or arm has a substantial mass in relation; to the massof the vessel and liquid, it is preferred to have the center, of gravityof the platfoim and arm mass on or in close proximity tothe line C. Forthis purpose, a counterweight or countermass 16 may be prosider to bethe best modes contemplated for applying 3 these principles' Otherembodiments of the invention.

embodying the same orequivalent principles may be used and structuralchanges may'bemade as desired by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting" from the true spirit and principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of 'a liquid-holding. vessel supported in alevel-position on a platform which in turn is supported on a swivel armhaving swivel connections with said platform and abase the latterresting on a'sljoping surface;

FIG. 2 is a top plan viewof-the apparatus of FIG. '1;

FIG; 3 is a cross-section-of the apparatus of; FIG. 2,

the invention with the base in its extreme degree of tilt at which thesupported mass remains level;

FIG. 7 is' a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 6

with the-supported mass removed from the pivot arm sys-' temandwith thebase in level 'or horizontal, orientation;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 7 of still other embodiment ofthe: invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of amulti-arm system with all of thearmsina single plane; a

vided on the platform 11 to counterbalance the weight of the bearing 10and extra massof the stud 15 in the platform needed to mount the bearingtherein.

In order to maintain the platform and vessel supported thereon in levelposition when thebase is tilted, the straight-line extensions A and B ofthe pivot axes of the ends 4- and 9 of the arm 5'in bearings 3 and 10,respectively, must intersect at a point Fsubstantially at, andpreferably substantially directly above, the center of gravity ofthe'supported mass. The lines A and Bpreferably intersect on, orsubstantially on, the line C denoting the line of gravity of the centerof gravity of the supported mass.

' ably low frictionbearings so that there is a quick response 'of thepivot arm system to a change in the forces acting on the supported mass.In the embodiment of FIGS. l-S,

the bearings 3. and 10 are hollow sleeves having a closed end. The tipsof the arm segments 4 and 9 are tapered to a pointwhich rests againstthe closed end of the sleeves 3 and 10. The arm segments 4- and 9 arerotatablyjournalled in a round hole 13 in the closed end of the sleevesand in a roller bearing 14- mounted in the open end of each sleeve.

In the embodiment of ,FIGS. l'5, the bearing 10 is mountedoff-centerinthe platform or support ll. The

j'sleeve 12 of bearing 10 is fixedly mounted instud 15 mounted on theunderside of the platform 11. Because of the oif center mounting of thebearing 16, the platform 11 also carriesa counter-weight16. Thecounterweight 16 is used to counterbalance the mass comprising the stud15, the bearing 10, and the arm 5 so that the platform 11 has, a centerof gravity G substantially in vertical alignment with the point ofconvergence F of extensions A and B of the pivot axes of bearings 3 and10, respectively. By providing these relationships, the platform remainsin a substantially horizontal position when the base 1 is tilted. Theplatform of such a system acts as though it were suspended from avirtual point of support at the point F.

The mass of the material supported and its center of gravity also mustbe considered in mounting the counterweight 16 and/ or the location ofthe point of convergence F of the pivot axes. In the case of FIGS. 15,the supported mass is a symmetrical vessel 17 adapted to hold a liquidor solids or both. The symmetry of the vessel 17, coupled with itscentral positioning on the platform 11 in the disc-shaped recess 18 inthe upper surface thereof, maintains the relationship between the pointof convergence F and the center of gravity of the supported systemincluding the vessel 17 and its contents, if any. The latter center ofgravity remains substantially on the vertical line C when the vesselcontains a liquid at any depth or when the vessel is empty. Accordingly,the gravitational pull on the supported system brings the supportedsystem to a substantially level, rest position so long as the center ofgravity of the system lies substantially on the vertical line C throughthe point of convergence F.

The limits of degree of tilt of the base 1 before the support systemceases to maintain the level position of the supported mass varies withthe pivot arm system. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, minimum andmaximum limits exist when the base is tilted in a vertical plane ofrotation wherein the arm 5 lies in a vertical plane through the centerof the base 1 and the pivot axis of bearing 3. Where the side of thebase 1 having bearing 3 is raised, the permissible angle of tilt of thebase is about 45 from horizontal Whereas, if the same side of the baseis lowered, the permissible angle of tilt is about 120 from horizontal.The permissible angle of tilt in any other direction of tilt of the base1 lies between the aforesaid values.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a multi-arm support system in which a base 20 hasmounted pivotally thereon a pivot arm 21 at any desired position on thebase, the position in the illustrated case being the radial center ofthe disc-shaped base 20. One end of the arm 21 is attached rigidly to ashaft 22 rotatably journalled in the base 20. The other end of arm 21carries a shaft 23 on which is rotatably journalled one end of an arm24. The other end of arm 24 carries a shaft 25 on which is rotatablyjournalled one end of an arm 25. The arm 26 bears a counterweight 27which counterbalances the weight of the pivot arm system so that thefiat portion 28 of arm 26 rests in a substantially horizontal positionwhen the base 20 is level. The arm 26 also carries an upwardlyprojecting shaft 29 which is positioned so that its longitudinal axis Hsubstantially intersects the point of convergence F of the pivot axes D,E and F of the arm swivel connections.

' The shaft 29 rotatably supports a symmetrical support member orplatform 30 having a symmetrical recess 31 in the upper surface thereof.A symmetrical vessel 32 is supported on the member 39 in the recess 31.The center of gravity G lies substantially on the axis H, which also isa vertical line through the point of convergence F.

The multi-arm support system of FIGS. 6 and 7 operates in substantiallythe same manner as the single arm support system of FIGS. l-5 inproviding a horizontal rest position of the supporting platform andarticle(s) supported thereon when the base is tilted. The maximumpermissible angle of tilt of the base is the same in any direction oftilt, however, in the multi-arrn system of FIGS. 6 and 7. The maximumpermissible degree of tilt of the base 20 is illustrated in FIG. 6, inwhich position the arms 21, 24 and 26 are approximately in a straightline. When the base 20 is horizontal the arm linkage collapses to aposition shown in FIG. 7. The embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 varies alsofrom that of FIGS. 1-5 in the swivel mounting of the support member orplatform with a swivel connection at the radial center of the platform.In this embodiment, the platform can swivel freely in a level positionon the arm 26.

The embodiment of FIG. 8 is a multi-arm support system similar inconstruction to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 except that a two-armsystem is used. An end of arm 31' is rotatably journalled in the radialcenter of the base disc 32'. Arm 31' carries a shaft at its oppositeend, on which shaft is rotatably journalled an end of arm 34. Arm 34 hasat its opposite end a shaft 35, the latter extending upwardly andradially inwardly. A platform with an off-center bearing similar to thebearing 10 of FIGS. 1-5 is supported rotatably on the shaft 35. The axesof rotation J and K and the vertical axis of rotation of arm 31 on base32' intersect a point of convergence F. The principle of operation forthis em bodiment is the same as the principles previously described.

The view of FIG. 9 shows in diagrammatic form the adaptations of theinvention to support systems ranging from one to any plural number ofarms. The arms are shown as they would appear when forced to lie in asingle plane. The first arm 46 is rotatably journalled in a bearing 41of any base upon which the pivot arm system is mounted. The arm carriesa bearing 43 in which is rotatably journalled a second arm 42. A thirdarm 44 is rotatably journalled in the bearing 45 carried by arm 42. Afourth arm 45 is rotatably journalled in bearing 47 carried by arm 44and carries a shaft (or bearing) 48 on which is rotatably journalled aplatform or support member (not shown).

This diagram illustrates one of the essential features of inventiontheconvergence of the pivot axes (in the illustrated case, pivot axes L, M,N, P and R) substantially at a point (F) above the center of gravity ofthe sup ported system. The same principle applies whether the system isa one arm support system, i.e., arm 40 and associated parts; a two armsystem, i.e., arms 41) and 42 and associated parts; a three arm system,i.e., arms 40, 42 and 44 and associated parts; or a multi-arm system offive or more arms.

The illustrations of FIGS. 10 and 11 show an adaptation of the supportsystems herein disclosed to support seats of vehicles. These seats canbe supported by one of the single arm or multi-arm systems of theinvention. The advantage of seats so supported is that the supportsystems cause the seats to tilt under sudden acceleration ordeceleration, such as occurs in a vehicle collision, in a direction sothat the momentum of the human body in the seat is thrust into the seatinstead of out of it. FIG. 10 shows the action of the seat under suddendeceleration occasioned by a head-on collision. FIG. 11 shows the actionof the seat under sudden acceleration or deceleration as would occurwhen a vehicle slides sideways into an object or other vehicle or is hitfrom the side by another vehicle. Thus the seats offer a high degree ofsafety, even without the use of safety belts, preventing the occupantfrom flying out of the seat regardless of the direction of impact asmentioned above. This provides an improvement in the field of safetyseats for land, sea, and air vehicles. Furthermore, the seats have otheradvantages as vehicle seats in their maintenance of level orientationwhen used on rocking or rolling vehicles, e.g., ships and boats, and intheir banking or tilting when the vehicle is turning to compensateagainst centrifugal force.

The point of convergence F for the pivot axes of the arm support systemfor the seat is above the center of gravity G" of the support system,seat, and the person in the seat. It may be vertically above the centerof gravity G" or slightly offset therefrom if the seat is designed to betilted slightly when a person is seated therein. Furthermore, it ispreferred that the support system be designed with a point ofconvergence F which is located in the vicinity of the top of the head ofan average size seat tilts under one or more of thepreviously-described.

forces. a 1

As set forth herein, this device provides a simple, unique and effectivemeans, embodyingseveral possible variations of a device that can carry,hold, or support a vessel, container, platform, seat, or other supportedelement or 3 e" I gravity of said mass-supporting platform member. andthe mass supported thereon, the axis of said base pivot is inclined from(the vertical, all of I the said pivots in said connecting linksystemare pivotable about only-one axis for each of said pivots, andupward extensions of all a of said pivot axes substantially intersect toforma virtual device,,the whole device, including its several possibleforms, supporting, holding or carrying such-supported elements so thatthey are, in effect, supported below a virtual point of support causedor formed by the basic geometry, asabove and as herein described, of theunique suspension system, and furthermore, this unique suspension systemis asel-f-leveling system, for the various supported elements that maybe incorporated as a part of the device, or that may be in any wayorform held, carried, or supported by this device, 7 7 V The self-levelingpropertiesof this device are inherent in its geometry and are properlyapplied, in; practical applications 'where it is required to dampen, orquiet, or tend to break any undesirable movement or motion of bothsupported fluids, and solids and various other device, for examplemechanical or electrical devices which are incon-porated in a movingsystem; or a system subject to vibration or irregular or nonuniformmotion.

This invention includes the direct support of specific.

objects by means of simple journals, sockets, inserts,

said objects. For example, a vessel can have a moulded or cast orfabricated-portion at the side or on the bottom,

etc., which receives and anchors or holds a journal, bearing, arm, etc.,such bearing, journal, arm, etc., is a portion of the support system{ Auseful example. i'sta throw-a-way cup, for use at drive-ins, or forservice. on highway, raiLor-airway vehicles, with a support elementanchor, journal bearing, e'tc=, 'moulded or inserted into the side of apaper fiber orplasticcup. The further support system is eitherexpendable or permanent in na-. ture. Further examples are removablecontainers for transport with a simple'attachmentof a container to asupport'system which system could be a part of a vehicle. Anotherexampleis' a compass or an apparatus for which it is desirable to havedirectional orientation when its normal. environment is one of motion,change of direction, etc., as outlined heretofore. Y 1

It will thus be'seen from the foregoing description; considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, that the present inventionprovides new and improved mass support systems having novelfeatures,advantages and characteristics and accomplishing its intended'objectives, including those hereinbefore pointed out'and others whichare inherent in the invention.

We claim: 7 1. An article-supporting in a level position on a selfleveling mass-supporting etc., which are attached directly or are madeas a part of;

support point located substantially on said vertical center of gravityline and suificiently above said mass-supporting platform-member so thatsaid'virtual support point is lo cated above the combined center ofgravity of the said mass supporting platform member and a mass normallysupportable thereon. V

2. An article-supporting apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which thesaidmass supported on said mass-supporting platform member is an'objectwith ,an apparent center of gravity substantially vertically alignedwith the ccnterof gravity of the said mass-supporting platform member,and in which said virtual support point'is located above the combinedapparent center of gravity of the said mass supporting platform memberand a mass supported thereon.

3. An article-supporting apparatus as defined'in claim 1 in which thesaid connecting link system has a mass which is a small fraction of thetotal mass of the combination of the said mass-supporting plat-formmember and a masssupported thereon, I

4. An article supporting apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which thesaidhiass-supportingplatform member has hollow drinking vessel which is*so designed that the apparent center of gravity of said hollow drinkingvessel and its contents islocated' substantially below, and in verticalalignment-with, the said virtual support point.

5. Anarticle-supporting apparatus'as defined in claim 1; in which thesaid connecting link system comprises a single arm and in which the.point of attachment of saidarm to said mass-supporting platform memberis a point-disposed substantially awaylfrom a vertical centerlinethrough the said mass-supporting platform member.

6. Anarticle-supporting apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which thesaid mass-supporting platform member includes aseat for seating a humanperson and in which the said virtual support point is disposedsufficiently above the apparent center of gravity of the 'said seatso'that the said virtual support point 'is disposedabovedhe center ofgravity of thesaid mass-supporting platform and the seat when thesaidseat is occupied by a human person. i

I. 7 7. An article-supporting apparatus as defined in claim apparatussupporting ainfiass platform member which is movable relative to a base,member attached thereto when said .baseme mberis mov? ing to eitherlevelor non-level positions, said apparatus comprising a'movable base memberand a mass-support- 5 ing platform member which'is movable relative tothe said movable base member, a connecting link system connecting saidmass-supporting platform member and said movable-base member andincluding at least one arm with at least two pivots, said connectinglink system beingpivotally connected at one end .thereof to said movablebase member and being pivotally connected at another portion thereof tosaid mass-supporting platform member,

said. movable base member, said mass-supporting platform member, andsaid connecting link system being so constructed and arranged that. thepoint of attachment of said connecting linksystem to-said movable basemem her is located at a base pivot point dispo'sedin a positionoifset-from a vertical line through the apparent center of 1 in whichthe said connecting link system comprises a plurality of connectingarms, and in'which the said base pivot axis is disposed on a nearlyhorizontal axis, and in which the said connecting link system: isfoldable from a position of use infwhich the'said mass-supportingplatform memberissubstantially horizontal, into a retracted positioninwhich' the'said mass-supporting platform member'is disposed; in 'anearly vertical position and said mass-supporting platform member isdisposed adjacent to' the said movable base member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATE PATENTS 113,035 3/71Erkson p 211-165 X 790,217 5/05 Mason 248-282 X 1,765,267 6/30- .Hartman248-282 X 1,796,354 3/31 Ahlberg 24s 2s2 2,175,091 10/39 Peterson 248121X 2,483,160 '9/49; su s, 211-16SX 2,605,073 7/52 Buck 24s-145 X3,076,467 "2/635c'ase 24s 364 X CLAUDEY'AV. LE RoY, Primary Examiner]

1. AN ARTICLE-SUPPORTING APPARATUS SUPPORTING A MASS IN A LEVEL POSITIONON A SELF-LEVELING MASS-SUPPORTING PLATFORM MEMBER WHICH IS MOVABLERELATIVE TO A BASE MEMBER ATTACHED THERETO WHEN SAID BASE MEMBER ISMOVING TO EITHER LEVEL OR NON-LEVEL POSITIONS, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISINGA MOVABLE BASE MEMBER AND A MASS-SUPPORTING PLATFORM MEMBER WHICH ISMOVABLE RELATIVE TO THE SAID MOVABLE BASE MEMEBER, A CONNECTING LINKSYSTEM CONNECTING SAID MASS-SUPPORTING PLATFORM MEMBER AND SAID MOVABLEBASE MEMBER AND INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE ARM WITH AT LEAST TWO PIVOTS,SAID CONNECTING LINK SYSTEM BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT ONE END THEREOFTO SAID MOVABLE BASE MEMBER AND BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT ANOTHERPORTION THEREOF TO SAID MASS-SUPPORTING PLATFORM MEMBER, SAID MOVABLEBASE MEMBER, SAID MASS-SUPPORTING PLATFORM MEMBER, AND SAID CONNECTINGLINK SYSTEM BEING SO CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED THAT THE POINT OFATTACHMENT OF SAID CONNECTING LINK SYSTEM TO SAID MOVABLE BASE MEMBER ISLOCATED AT A BASE PIVOT POINT DISPOSED IN A POSITION OFFSET FROM AVERTICAL LINE THROUGH THE APPARENT CENTER OF GRAVITY OF SAIDMASS-SUPPORTING PLATFORM MEMBER AND THE MASS SUPPORTED THEREON, THE AXISOF SAID BASE PIVOT IS INCLINED FROM THE VERTICAL, ALL OF THE SAID BASEPIVOT SAID CONNECTING LINK SYSTEM ARE PIVOTABLE ABOUT ONLY ONE AXIS FOREACH OF SAID PIVOTS, AND UPWARD EXTENSIONS OF ALL OF SAID PIVOT AXESSUBSTANTIALLY ON SAID VERTICAL CENTER SUPPORT POINT LOCATEDSUBSTANTIALLY ON SAID VERTICAL CENTER OF GRAVITY LINE AND SUFFICIENTLYABOVE SAID MASS-SUPPORTING PLATFORM MEMBER SO THAT SAID VIRTUAL SUPPORTPOINT IS LOCATED ABOVE THE COMBINED CENTER OF GRAVITY OF THE SAIDMASS-SUPPORTING PLATFORM MEMBER AND A MASS NORMALLY SUPPORTABLE THEREON.